CSS Fredericksburg
Ironclad · Confederate States · Lost 1865 · Chesapeake Bay
The lightest-draft ironclad of the James River Squadron led the sortie at Trent's Reach before being burned at Drewry's Bluff in the final collapse of the Confederate capital.
The Vessel and Her Loss
CSS Fredericksburg was launched in late 1863 at Richmond as a lighter-draft casemate ironclad, giving the James River Squadron greater mobility in the upper river. She led the squadron's sortie at Trent's Reach in January 1865. As the defenses of Richmond collapsed in early April 1865, she was burned at Drewry's Bluff to prevent capture, and a magazine explosion followed. Her remaining structure lies interred in the riverbed.
Vessel
- 1863
- Not established
- Richmond, Virginia
- Wood with iron armor
- 188 ft
- 40 ft
- 700 tons
- Twin direct-action steam engines
- Confederate States Navy, James River Squadron
Loss
- April 3, 1865
- Intentional sinking
- Drewry's Bluff, James River
- James River
- Not established
- Munitions
- 150
- 0
- T. R. Rootes
The Wreck Today
- 20 ft
- Silt-covered; structural elements interred within the riverbed.
- Not established
- 1980s
- Protected historical resource
Position
- 37.41° N 77.41° W
- Reported, unconfirmed
- Richmond, Virginia
Reported position near Drewry's Bluff; remains are interred in the riverbed.
Evidence
Overall confidence: Documented (85/100)
The wreck site is approximate and the remains are buried in river sediment.
Specifications and destruction details.
Beyond the Crater, Richmond campaign resources
Squadron context and evacuation.
